Kalen DeBoer and Alabama made it official on Saturday by naming sophomore Keelon Russell the starting quarterback over Austin Mack. That’s a decision that has been expected, with Russell being viewed as the favorite in the competition since the end of spring practice.
Russell is a dynamic playmaker both in the pocket and on the move. He’s as talented as any QB in the country, but he is a young guy who is still going to make young guy mistakes. Alabama fans need to be prepared for that, and Russell is going to need his supporting cast to pick him up from time to time.
That’s just the reality of a first-time starting quarterback with limited college snaps.
With Russell’s ascension to the top of the depth chart, the pressure mounts for three Crimson Tide players.
There aren’t many things more helpful for a young quarterback than a dynamic playmaker at WR who can produce yards after the catch. That should be junior Ryan Coleman-Williams for Alabama, who is a threat for a big play every time he gets his hands on the football.
Alabama needs Coleman-Williams to bounce back after a disappointing sophomore season, and all signs point toward that happening. He’s had a strong offseason and has emerged as one of the leaders on the team.
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